Media holders for bookshelves

ABSTRACT

A media holder in combination with a bookshelf for holding audio-visual materials in association with books on the shelf to combine all of the related materials to one compact assembly. The holder includes a support rack for the media and a U-shaped clamp constructed to fit over the top of the shelf and with a wall portion to engage underneath the shelf after extending along the edge thereof. Space is provided on the holder for a pocker holder for a check-out card to be used in recording information with respect to the removal of the media.

United States Patent Dameron 1 Nov. 25, 1975 [54] MEDIA HOLDERS FORBOOKSHELVES D118,410 l/194O Dolgorukov 211/43 X [76] Inventor: JennieRose Dameron, 175 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Stonewall Heights,Abingdmh 35,902 4/1926 Denmark 211 43 24210 2 Filed; June 13, 1974Primary ExaminerRamon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane,Swecker & 21 Appl. No.: 479,185 Mathis [52] US. Cl. 211/43; 211/184;108/61 [57] ABSTRACT Int. CLZ A media holder in combination a bookshelffor 1 Field 01 Search 1 43, 1 72, 73, holding audio-visual materials inassociation with 21 108/61 books on the shelf to combine all of therelated materials to one compact assembly. The holder includes a 1References Cited support rack for the media and a U-shaped clamp con-UNITED STATES PATENTS structed to fit over the top of the shelf and witha wall 504,233 8/1893 McVey et a1. 211/184 Portion to engage underneaththe Shelf after extending 575,294 l/1897 Borden v 211/184 a g he edgethereof. Space is provided on the 679,054 7/1901 Kraushaar... 211/184holder for a pocker holder for a check-out card to be 7 2/1 L im r 211/4used in recording information with respect to the re- 1,170,507 2/1916Blum v 211/73 moval f the media 2,110,429 3/1938 Sunderhauf. 211/73 X3,308,964 3/1967 Pistone 211/124 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures U.S.Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet10f2 3,921,811

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,921,811

MEDIA HOLDERS FOR BOOKSHELVES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to improvements in media holders for bookshelves such, forexample, as bookshelves used particularly in libraries and the like.

Libraries often have several types of media, but the different types areoften located in separate sections in the library and frequently are notreadily accessible. In any event, they are often not in such proximityto each other that a student can easily locate all of the related mediaon a particular subject. For example, if a student is looking formaterial on birds, he can sometimes find books, film strips, discrecordings and cassette tapes on the subject, but they would be indifferent areas of the library, and much time would be unnecessarilyconsumed trying to locate them.

One object of this invention is to overcome these objections and toprovide an effective holder which may be applied to a bookshelf forholding in proximity to books such related materials or media as filmstrips, cassette tapes and disc recordings for joint surveillance by astudent looking for information on a particular subject.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder of simple andinexpensive construction that may be secured effectively to a bookshelfand to hold in relation to books on the shelf such related audio-visualmaterials as film strips, cassette tapes and disc recordings.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a holder foraudio-visual materials that will be secured effectively to the bookshelfand extend along the top and bottom thereof and along the edge of theshelf, not only to hold the materials supported on the holder, but alsoto confine books in adjacent relation thereto by secure fastening of theholder to the shelf.

These objects may be accomplished, according to certain embodiments ofthe invention, by providing a media holding constructed to fit flatwiseupon a shelf, with wall portions that embrace the top and bottom of theshelf and extend along the front edge thereof, and a lateral portion toabut against books arranged on the shelf to confine the latter, as wellas to hold audiovisual materials. The holder also should provide spacefor a pocket for a check-out book card to be used in recording removalof the materials for use alone or with books on related subjects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These embodiments of the invention areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of holder to be applied to abookshelf and to contain two cassettes;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the holder applied to the bookshelf shownin section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the front, showing a form of holderdesigned to contain film strips;

FIG. 4 is a similar view from the rear thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of holder for film stripsand record albums;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing another form of holder for filmstrips and cassettes;

FIG. 8 is a cross section through a metal bookshelf, showing a modifiedform of clamp used on the holder in connection therewith; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bookshelf showing the relation of theholders to books thereon.

7 at 1, having individual shelves 2. Each shelf includes a forward edge2A, a bottom surface 28, and a top surface 2C for supporting books B inupstanding relation thereon in the usual manner (FIGS. 2 and 9). Thebooks B usually are arranged according to subject matters and whereinall of the books that concern a particular subject matter will begrouped in one shelf or in one section of the library. Holders foraudio-visual materials are illustrated in FIG. 9 in adjoining relationto the books B, for such materials as film strips, cassettes, tapes andrecordings. Thus, all of the types of media relating to a particularsubject can be grouped together on one shelf, stack or section of thelibrary. For example, if a student is looking for material on birds, hewill find books, film strips, disc recordings and cassette tapes on thesubject, all grouped together on the same shelf, thus saving time andeliminating the necessity of looking in several different places formaterials on the same subject. The holder not only provides support forthe several different media, but also support for the books stacked onthe shelf in adjoining relation thereto.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mediaholder is adapted to contain two cassettes C. The holder includesupright side walls 3 and 4, respectively, upstanding from a bottom wall5 which is shaped to be seated upon the top surface of a shelf 2. A backwall 6 connects together the rear edges of the side walls 3 and 4surrounding a pocket receptacle within which the cassettes C may beplaced upon the bottom wall 5.

The bottom wall 5 is turned downward to form an upright support section7 and then backward with a clamp section 8 extending underneath theshelf 2 and parallel with the wall 5. A clamp is thus provided betweenthe sections 5 and 8 for embracing the front edge of the shelf 2 uponwhich the holder is located. The upright section 7 also forms a supportfor indicia label 9, when desired.

The opposite side walls 3 and 4 of the holder not only confine thecassettes C therebetween, but also serve to hold in place the booksstacked upon the shelf on either side of the holder. This unit may bemade to hold one or more cassettes or cassettes and other materials, asfound desirable.

The wall 4 is shown as having a tapered upper edge at a lower heightthan the opposite wall 3, allowing for ready access to the cassettes C.The wall 3 also performs a support for a pocket 10 that accommodates acheck-out book card 11 that may be used for recording information withrespect to the borrowing of the materials or books.

Another form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein thesupport rack includes a plate illustrated at 12. The plate has a loweredge 12A extending parallel to the forward edge 2A of the bookshelf whenattached thereto (FIG. 9). The plate 12 is turned back in an obliqueposition from a clamp at the lower edge thereof, formed by upper andlower sides 13 and I4 and a front wall section 15 made in rigid relationto each other. The plate thus defines a generally forwardly facing face128. Thus, when the clamp is fitted over the front edge of a shelf, theholder 12 will be held in an oblique position. This holder is shown ashaving a series 3 of openings therethrough, indicated at 16, forsupporting film strip cans therein, which are illustrated at F in FIG.3.

A label or indicia holder is shown at 17 on the upright section of theclamp. A pocket 18 on the backturned holder 12 is used to support thecheck-out book card, as described above.

Another modification is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, adapted to support filmstrips and record albuns, indicated at R. Here the backturned holderplate is illustrated at 19, extending laterally from a pocket formed byupstanding side walls 20 and 21, spaced apart to receive the recordingsR therebetween upon the bottom wall of the pocket, which is closed atthe back, as indicated at 22. The bottom wall forms the top section of ashelf clamp, generally indicated at 23, and which is constructedsubstantially as the clamp described above in connection with FIGS. 1and 2.

The holder plate 19 includes a lower edge 19A and defines a generallyforwardly facing face 19B which extends upwardly and rearwardly fromsuch edge. The plate has openings 24 therein for film strips cans, tohold these in proper relation to the books that are stacked on the shelfin lateral abutting relation to one or the opposite side of the holder,or both. A pocket 25 is mounted on the front oblique holder 19 tosupport a library card.

Still another form of holder is shown in FIG. 7, which is similar incharacter to that described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2,having a pocket 26 designed to hold two cassettes with a laterallyturned section 27 on one side wall having openings 28 therein forreceiving and supporting film strip cans. In other respects, this formis used in the same manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 1and 2.

In FIG. 8, the library shelf shown at 2 is of metal construction insteadof wood, as is true of that illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 9. The bottomclamp section 29 is of spring steel or other suitable material whichwill effect a spring clamp attachment of the holder to the metal shelfin the manner that will be apparent from FIG. 8. In other respects, itfunctions in the same way as described above.

These holders are preferably made of sheet metal or of other suitablematerial for the purpose of housing on a bookshelf such audio-visualmaterials as film strips, cassettes and tape and disc recordings inclose proximity to the books on the shelf that are also confined by theholders. The rack-like support of the holder serves to confine in placenot only the adjacent books on the shelf, but also the audio-visualmaterials, and the holder is in turn held in place securely by theintegral clamp which directly fits over the edge of the shelf, with wallportions or sections embracing the shelf at the top and bottom thereof.

The audio-visual materials are confined in the protective housing of theholder unit where they are readily accessible along with the printedmaterials or books stacked on the shelves and in close proximity to theholders. All of the holders of the different forms described may be madeof a holder section which will serve not only to confine theaudio-visual materials but also the books abutting thereagainst,together with a clamp that secured the holder detachably and movably tothe edge of the bookshelf.

The clamp fits snugly over the edge of the shelf and is designed so thatthe label or other indicia may be applied to its outside edge, as bygluing it on, or other 4 means of application used in connectiontherewith. From the upper edge of this label holding section, the topportion bends backward over the shelf end, parallel with the surface ofthe shelf or at a substantial angle thereto such, for instance, as 30 tothe horizontal. This holder portion is adapted to receive and confinethe audio-visual materials and it may have round holes to accommodatefilm strip cans.

The cassette unit may be made to hold one or two cassettes, or cassettesand film strips, with space on the side for a check-out card pocket.Extending up from the clamp, the top portion is perpendicular to theshelf and forms a slot or recess to accommodate the cassette orcassettes. When it is desired to use film strips that combine with thecassette to form a set, a lateral flange is added to one side wall ofthe pocket and formed with holes to accommodate the cans of the filmstrip. The disc recording unit is constructed in the same manner as thecassette unit, except that it is taller, to house disc recordings, aloneor with film strips.

The holder and its clamp are constructed inexpensively and yetattractively, to be used on library bookshelves and to present thevarious types of audio-visual media to persons examining the shelves forbooks and other informational materials.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certainembodiments, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention set forth in the claims.

I claim: 1. A media support rack in combination with a bookshelf havingtop and bottom surfaces and a forward edge, said top surface of saidbookshelf supporting books uprightly in a row so that bound edges of thebooks face forwardly, said rack comprising:

a holder plate having a lower edge portion extending parallel to saidforward edge of said bookshelf; said plate extending in an obliquedirection upwardly and rearwardly from said lower edge portion so as tobe oriented for abutting a side of a book to support the book uprightly;

said plate presenting a generally forwardly facing face having meanswhich removably supports a media-carrying container; and

a clamping section rigidly attached relative to said plate adjacent saidlower edge portion and including a pair of vertically spaced bookshelfengaging means engaging said top and bottom surfaces of said bookshelfto maintain said plate in its oblique position.

2. A media holder according to claim 1 wherein said vertically spacedbookshelf engaging means comprise walls extending parallel to said topand bottom bookshelf surfaces.

3. A media holder according to claim 1 wherein a lower one of said wallsis biased toward the other of said walls.

4. A media holder according to claim 1 further including a front wallextending downwardly from said lower edge portion along said forwardedge of said bookshelf to carry indicia.

5. A media holder according to claim 1 wherein said forwardly facingface carries a pocket for removably receiving an indicia card.

6. A media holder according to claim 1 wherein said means whichremovably supports a media-carrying container comprises an aperture insaid plate.

3 ,921 ,8 1 1 5 a a 7. A media holder according to claim 6 wherein saida g ally forwardly facing face extending upplate contains a plurality ofsaid apertures, said aperwardly and rearwardly from Sam lower edge tion,and tures each bemg configured to carry a fllm-contammg Support meansformed on said face for removably 5 supporting a media-carryingcontainer; and

8. A media holder suitable for attachment to a booka clamping sectionrigidly attached relative to said shelf having a top surface supportingbooks uprightly, Plate and Said Side Walls;

said clamping section including vertically spaced bookshelf engagingmeans for engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the bookshelf to holdsaid said holder comprising:

a pair of spaced upright side walls oriented to extend rearwardly from aforward edge of the bookshelf 10 Side walls and Said plate to Saidbookshelf and defining a forwardly open pocket therebe- 9, A di supportk according to l i 8 tween for removably receiving media items; whereinsaid means for removably supporting a mediaone of said side walls beingoperable to abut a book carrying container Comprises an aperture 10. Amedia support rack according to claim 8 on Sald Shelf to slipport thebook upnghtly 1 wherein a lower one of said vertically spaced bookshelfa holder plate extending laterally from the other of engaging means isbiased toward the other of said said side walls, said holder plateincluding: b k h lf engaging means a lower edge portion,

1. A media support rack in combination with a bookshelf having top andbottom surfaces and a forward edge, said top surface of said bookshelfsupporting books uprightly in a row so that bound edges of the booksface forwardly, said rack comprising: a holder plate having a lower edgeportion extending parallel to said forward edge of said bookshelf; saidplate extending in an oblique direction upwardly and rearwardly fromsaid lower edge portion so as to be oriented for abutting a side of abook to support the book uprightly; said plate presenting a generallyforwardly facing face having means which removably supports amedia-carrying container; and a clamping section rigidly attachedrelative to said plate adjacent said lower edge portion and including apair of vertically spaced bookshelf engaging means engaging said top andbottom surfaces of said bookshelf to maintain said plate in its obliqueposition.
 2. A media holder according to claim 1 wherein said verticallyspaced bookshelf engaging means comprise walls extending parallel tosaid top and bottom bookshelf surfaces.
 3. A media holder according toclaim 1 wherein a lower one of said walls is biased toward the other ofsaid walls.
 4. A media holder according to claim 1 further including afront wall extending downwardly from said lower edge portion along saidforward edge of said bookshelf to carry indicia.
 5. A media holderaccording to claim 1 wherein said forwardly facing face carries a pocketfor removably receiving an indicia card.
 6. A media holder according toclaim 1 wherein said means which removably supports a media-carryingcontainer comprises an aperture in said plate.
 7. A media holderaccording to claim 6 wherein said plate contains a plurality of saidapertures, said apertures each being configured to carry afilm-containing can.
 8. A media holder suitable for attachment to abookshelf having a top surface supporting books uprightly, said holdercomprising: a pair of spaced upright side walls oriented to extendrearwardly from a forward edge of the bookshelf and defining a forwardlyopen pocket therebetween for removably receiving media items; one ofsaid side walls being operable to abut a book on said shelf to supportthe book uprightly; a holder plate extending laterally from the other ofsaid side walls, said holder plate including: a lower edge portion, agenerally forwardly facing face extending upwardly and rearwardly fromsaid lower edge portion, and support means formed on said face forremovably supporting a media-carrying container; and a clamping sectionrigidly attached relative to said plate and said side walls; saidclamping section including vertically spaced bookshelf engaging meansfor engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the bookshelf to hold saidside walls and said plate to said bookshelf.
 9. A media support rackaccording to claim 8 wherein said means for removably supporting amedia-carrying Container comprises an aperture.
 10. A media support rackaccording to claim 8 wherein a lower one of said vertically spacedbookshelf engaging means is biased toward the other of said bookshelfengaging means.